Muscat Daily Columnist

Even as the nation held its breath, expecting Modi to declare war on its neighbour, the Prime Minister used his oratory skills to deliver the message that the focus needs to remain on the war against poverty and unemployment.

The state ‘government’ of Arunachal Pradesh has changed its political affiliations just as a shop would change its name-board. Ostensibly, this was the only way to get funds for survival from the BJP-ruled centre. So much for co-operative federalism and democratic principles. Is the voter watching?

The recent removal of the Goa RSS leader was followed by the unusual development of a spate of resignations by his followers. What was ostensibly done to save the state BJP from embarrassment months ahead of elections, might just have an unexpected political fall-out.

As Jammu and Kashmir continues to burn, the recent utterances of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti are revealing the disconnect between her party PDP - the party with the healing touch - and the people. A handshake with the BJP and insensitivity towards public anger is eating into a base that had been painstakingly built over the years. Is Mehbooba vacating the space for hardliners?

The self-styled protectors of cows and other rightwing fringe elements appear to be gaining strength from the current atmosphere which is promoting a distorted version of nationalism with scant regard for the Constitution.